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Senator Lang asks to hold HB 661 to craft phased plan for foster youths’ Social Security benefits
Summary
Senator Lang asked the committee to hold HB 661 after learning the agency may retain Social Security benefits for foster youth; Lang proposed an amendment to phase agency retention (25% growing to 100%) so youths leaving care retain some funds, and colleagues raised safeguards for lump-sum payments.
Senator Lang asked the committee to hold HB 661 so she could draft an amendment after learning the Department of Health and Human Services may be taking Social Security benefits from foster children when they turn 18. Lang said she wants a phased drawdown so the agency would initially hold 25% of benefits, then 50% in the next biennium, 75% thereafter, and finally 100% only after a staged transition, giving young people a "leg to stand on when they turn 18."
"This bill was about, unbeknownst to me... the health and human services taking Social Security benefits from foster children that are in state programs," Lang said, urging time to work with legislative staff to draft language. Senator Waters supported further study, citing Massachusetts’ recent action on similar policy and saying the benefits "are meant to be for them, not for the state."
Another committee member proposed an amendment to preserve legislative authority over funding levels and align any change with a related House proposal. A separate member raised concerns about handing significant sums to 18-year-olds and suggested controls or delayed disbursement (for example, partial release at 18 and remainder at 21) to reduce risk that recipients quickly spend the funds without supports. The chair asked Lang to work with other senators on amendment language and agreed to hold the bill.
Why it matters: The proposal concerns whether Social Security benefits paid on behalf of foster youth should be retained by the state agency or provided to the youth as they age out of care. Senators framed the issue as both fiscal (how to fund the program) and protective (how to ensure young adults can manage funds).
What’s next: Senator Lang will work with legislative staff (LBA) and colleagues to draft a phased-retention amendment; the committee agreed to hold HB 661 pending revised language.
